Problem Skin Primer – Oily Skin!

Problem Skin Primer – Oily Skin! Create a game plan for controlling this potentially troublesome condition

By Angela Irish –  President & Co-Founder, OZ Naturals

If you struggle with oily skin, you know that matters often get worse as the weather warms up and humidity increases. With summer months ahead, now is the time to create a game plan for controlling this potentially troublesome condition. Let’s first take a look at what causes some individuals’ skin to be oily and others not. The amount of oil our skin produces is controlled by hormones called androgens. These are often thought of as male hormones, although both men and women have them. While men’s skin tends to be oiler in general than female skin, members of both sexes commonly suffer from oily skin and the subsequent problems that can cause. There are many potential causes for oily skin. If you’ve always had oily skin, and other members of your family do as well, it may be a genetic trait. A change in medications, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement medications, can also trigger excess oil production. Stress, environmental factors and incorrect use of skin care products may also be at fault. Regardless of the cause, a proactive skincare routine is an important step in caring for oily skin. The basic steps of cleansing, toning, exfoliation, hydration and sun protection are key to the good health of all skin types, but are especially vital for managing oily skin. Below are some “do’s and don’ts” for gaining the upper hand on your oily skin this summer. DO: Use a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser morning and evening. Harsh cleansers can temporarily dry out skin but they end up triggering more oil to be produced, causing a vicious cycle. OZ Naturals Ocean Minerals Cleanser cleans gently but deeply, and unclogs pores without stripping skin. Exfoliate regularly. Oily skin builds up dead skin cells at a faster rate, clogging pores and causing blackheads. Our Ancient Enzyme Dermafoliant effectively rids the skin surface of unwanted dead skin cells without irritation. Hydrate skin with a lightweight moisturizer. It’s a mistake to think that oily skin does not require moisturization. A lightweight moisturizer such as OZ Naturals Sea Infused Moisturizer protects the skin by providing antioxidants and skin repairing ingredients without adding to oil production. DON’T: Scrub aggressively. Over-zealous use of scrubs, cleansing brushes and pore strips backfires by causing irritation which – of course – causes more oil production. Use alcohol based toners, which are also a major source of irritation. Unfortunately, many toners marketed for oily skin fit this profile and do more harm than good. OZ Naturals Ocean Mineral Tonic is alcohol-free and enriched with organic sulfur and Vitamin C to helps skin heal and allow nutrients to move in and out. Tan. Many people erroneously think that sun exposure will help dry out oily skin. Unfortunately, the opposite may occur as the UV radiation triggers an injury response and causes sebaceous gland to increase production of oil. Because oily skin is just as susceptible to sun damage as other skin types, it requires broad spectrum SPF protection daily. A mineral based sunscreen in a non-greasy formulation can protect skin without adding shine. Oily skin can be frustrating to live with and get under control, especially during the summer months. A consistent, gentle approach using the appropriate products will have you sailing through every season looking and feeling your best.